Korean Independence Movement Day

We all love a holiday, especially if it means getting one of those rare days off from work! However, often in Korea, we don't know the reason why we get that much needed day of R & R. Bigger and popular holidays like Chuseok and Buddha's Birthday are more well-known, but the lesser known and not as mainstream holidays also hold great significance to some Koreans.

Today is March 1st and it is celebrated as the Independence Movement Day each year. As developed as Korea is, it's hard to believe that just less than 100 years ago Koreans fought for their independence as a nation. The cries for independence started at this time stemmed from the Japanese colonial rule when Koreans were seeking refuge from a tyrannical rule in their own country. This battle was not without loss as thousands of Koreans gave their lives trying to secure their country's place in the free world.

During Japan's colonization of Korea, Korean culture was highly suppressed and the American President Wilson's words at the Paris Peace Conference drove Korean students in Japan to create a document calling for the independence of Korea from its colonizer. As Koreans became more and more frustrated with the deplorable situation in their own homes, the situation became more and more agitated. Complaints and demands were made by Korean citizens against the Japanese rulers, demonstrations became more common. As mentioned earlier, many of these demonstrations for the stop of destruction of the Korean culture resulted in bloodshed.

This movement was an eventual incendiary for the Japanese rule in Korea. It ultimately led to the Provisional government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai. This government abroad existed during a tumultuous time and Japan's rule came to an end approximately at the tail end of the World War 2, but this was still not the end of troubled times for Korea...

Still today, there are some Koreans alive that remember the travesties committed by Japanese colonials and there are also some Koreans who hold a serious disdain for the Japanese based on their prior horrendous experiences. However, more and more Koreans are becoming more tolerant of the fact that this was history and from history there are many lessons to be learned.